ISSUE
DECEMBER
CONTENTS resolutions 1 i heart jesus 2 boxing yourself in 3 the shape of summer 4 the shape of love 5
illumin8 issue 25 - December 2011
Cover designed by Katy Breytenbach
Resolutions By Scott Ferreira
As the end of 2011 approaches, the question begins to stir as to how we are going to make next year better than the last. We may feel the need to raise the bar through a set of goals or a pile of New Year's resolutions, but one consideration that is likely to be on most of our lists is a short, well-known phrase ‘Get into shape!’. I am involved in a running club and therefore get to see a number of people, in a number of shapes. But what seems to be a common thread is that most people are trying to change from the shape that they are, into the shape they wish they were in. From fat to thin, skinny to bulky, flat to round, big to small and so on. But where does this dissatisfaction come from?
My story If I were asked ‘How does God see me and my body?’ - I feel that I would be able to give you a fairly accurate answer. But the question I am finding incredibly difficult to process is the one, ‘Scott, how do you see yourself?’
illumin8 issue 25 - December 2011
I seem to have grasped (at least to some degree) that God’s love does not only apply to me when I have reached a certain standard. However, I find myself unable to translate this to the expectations I have placed on myself. God’s love is unconditional, and yet the love I have for myself often becomes incredibly tainted as it needs to filter through the lens with which I see myself. God loves me exactly the way I am, but I have found that I withhold love from myself when I feel I haven’t matched up to my standards. I have lived life always setting goals for myself, continually raising the bar at every opportunity. For a long time I have aimed to be better, fitter, thinner, faster and more toned. Yet when I don’t reach these, often unobtainable, goals I find myself losing heart and the ability to see myself the way God does. In a sense, I have always felt that remaining in physical shape is my responsibility: that it’s something to be kept separate from my spiritual walk, something that the Lord expects me to get right. While I know this is not the case, I am finding it an extremely difficult mindset to change.
In an attempt to break this destructive cycle in my own life, I have recently taken a drastic step and thrown the ‘bar’ away completely! I have replaced a two page mission statement with a one-liner, dropped an exorbitant list of goals and replaced it with one: to love God with all my heart. I don’t run with a watch anymore, I run to enjoy it. I don’t diet or weigh-in at the gym, I trust that as I begin to understand how He sees me, that those matters will sort themselves out. As I am new to this approach, I am not completely sure how it will pan out. But what I hope for, as I lay down all the expectations I have placed on myself for the sake of knowing Him, is that I will find the life that I long for…the life that He has always intended for me. Maybe it’s time to lay down the shape you have always wished to be, in order to hear what God wants you to become.
Designed by Rachelle Vermaark
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illumin8 issue 25 - December 2011
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Designed by Leanne Rhodes
s tree with splendidly wrapped presents As I write and think about Christmas, the image that springs to mind is that of a Christma with the utmost care. The attention to underneath it. Although they all look different, it is clear that each one has been wrapped The tree is covered in sparkling twinkle lights detail makes me realise they were most certainly wrapped with a whole lot of love. ion of what is to come. I can only imagine which illuminate each present with a soft glow. The atmosphere is filled with anticipat how sensational the gifts will be, if each present's wrapping is so extraordinary. each present contains. The hope of the joy The image I see is not one of greed, but instead of HOPE. The hope of the possible gift it. When the time comes for the presents to be each gift will bring. And the hope of what the person receiving the gift will make of its purpose by not only touching the heart opened and shared, I am taken aback by the general splendour of it all. Each gift fulfills of the person receiving it, but everyone in the room. source of light and protection; the presents In this picture of Christmas one can imagine the Christmas tree as God, an ever present 139:14); and the gifts within are the (Psalm represent each and every one of us, having been 'fearfully and wonderfully made' talents, hopes, dreams and spiritual gifts God has given us. it's so easy to lose sight of one's dreams and What's the use of a gift if it remains unopened, what joy can it ultimately bring? I find s 'boxed-in' due to fears of rejection, ourselve keep to tend gifts while getting 'boxed-in' by the pressures of life. In some cases we failure, lack of time or the matter of one's age.
, not to keep 'boxed-in'!
But God gave us gifts to share What's for Him. We should strive the use of a I believe God wants us open our hearts and share them with others in order to shine in our corner we are to pursue our dreams, all the while encouraging others to do the same. With God gift if it remains gifts with others, not your share to ged encoura Be alone. manage capable of much more than we could ever the gifts you have if to eyes your open to God Ask life. your unopened, what joy only during this Christmas season but all through and hope with light His sharing of part a be and pursue you are uncertain, as well as the dreams you should can it ultimately others. bring?
people light a lamp and put it 'You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do house. In the same way, let your under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the in heaven.' – Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father
illumin8 issue 25 - December 2011
Designed by Mari Schoeman
by Nicci Martin
A collection of photos taken by
illumin8 issue 25 - December 2011
Someone said to me recently, 'There is absolutely nothing that you can do to make God love you'. For the performance-based sort of culture we're living in, that's a difficult nut to swallow. 'There is absolutely nothing you can do to make God love you'? I grew up in a home where I knew I was loved, no matter what. Both my parents set amazing examples of how to love unconditionally. Although, living in this world with all sorts of outside influences is difficult. And somewhere along the line, I unknowingly managed to equate doing things (and mostly doing them well) with being accepted and loved. There's nothing wrong with doing things well, but wanting to do things to be loved is different to wanting to do things out of love. The one requires something to be done first; the other simply the knowledge that you're loved, no strings attached. So the thought of there being nothing I can do for God to love me, is HUGE. He, plain and simple, loves me just the way I am! And nothing I do will ever make Him love me any more or less. How do I know this liberating fact? Well, it all boils down to a true event symbolised by a simple shape. Not the shape of a big, red happy-valentine-sort-of-heart but that of a cross. There's a poster of a cross that my mom stuck up on our bathroom door, while we were growing up, which read as follows, 'It was not the nails that held Christ to the cross but His love for you and me.' My prayer is that this truth would sink into our hearts deeply. Father God made the ultimate sacrifice because He loves us and desperately wants us to know that, no strings attached. The best thing we can do for Him is to accept that there is absolutely nothing we can do to make Him love us any more or less than He already does!
illumin8 issue 25 - December 2011
Designed by Wanja Focaraccio